126 THE SPEAKING PARROTS. 



brown, each feather having a whitish spot on the stem ; on 

 the back of the head and neck there are broad feathers 

 about Ifin. in length, light-brown at the base, and with a 

 broad blue tip, which form the movable collar or hood ; the 

 back of the neck and all the upper part of the body are dark 

 grass-green ; the primaries and their coverts are, however, black, 

 with the outer webs only edged with green ; all the lower 

 part of the body is brown, each feather with a broad blue edge ; 

 the mandible is a blackish-brown ; the upper beak, with a light 

 ridge ; the eyes brown, shading to vivid-yellow ; the eye cere 

 brown ; the feet blackish-brown ; the claws black. Although 

 this parrot appears in many varieties of shades, yet it is always 

 easily recognised, and can never be confused with any other. 

 It is one of the most stately parrots, and is almost as large 

 as a raven (length, 14:Tin. ; wings, 6fin. to T^in. ; tail, 4 Jin. 

 to 5-J-in.). 



It is a native of the most northerly part of South America, 

 extending over North Brazil, Guiana, and Surinam. 



Burmeister thinks that the Hawk-headed Parrot is delicate, and 

 that it is on this account it appears so seldom in the European 

 markets. This supposition is, however, disposed of by examples 

 of these birds proving themselves exceedingly healthy, and 

 remaining strong and hardy in the cage for many years. Mr. 

 Wigand, of Danzig, describes one which he had for eleven 

 years. As a splendid and curious ornamental bird, it is one of 

 the principal sights of zoological gardens and other resorts for 

 the study of natural history. A Hawk-headed Parrot, belonging 

 to Mr. Wiener, of London, which I had in my care for some 

 time, appeared thoroughly tame, trained, and affectionate, 

 displayed cleverness and intelligence, and said some English 

 words very clearly and with perfect sense. It erected the hood 

 more frequently in delight and pleasure than in anger. It is 

 considered and praised by all who have kept it as being 

 uncommonly quiet, peaceable, and gentle, not treacherous and 

 cunning, nor vicious. Its w^hole character being cautious, it 

 speaks slowly, pipes loudly and not unpleasantly, yet not 

 frequently, screams piercingly and harshly, but leaves off 

 directly if anyone speaks to it. Mr. Scheuba, of Olmlitz, 

 possessed one which chattered the whole day, seldom screamed, 

 and whose talents and capabilities for being trained caused 

 this experienced parrot-keeper and connoisseur to reckon this 

 species among those of the first rank. 



